Houndsley and Catina Plink and Plunk

by James Howe, Marie-Louise Gay (Illustrator)

Overview

The friends have to discover what is annoying both of them when Catina chatters during their canoe ride when Houndsley wants to enjoy the sounds of nature, and Houndsley balks at going on a bike ride with Catina.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781098251352
Publisher:	Chapter Books
Publication date:	08/01/2022
Series:	Houndsley and Catina Series
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.13(h) x 0.32(d)
Lexile:	550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 7 Years

About the Author

James Howe is the acclaimed author of more than seventy books for young readers, including the Houndsley and Catina series and the much lauded Bunnicula and its sequels. He lives in New York State.

Marie-Louise Gay, illustrator of the Houndsley and Catina series, is the award-winning author and illustrator of many other titles, including Rainy Day Magic and the Stella and Sam series. She lives in Montreal.

Editorial Reviews

Houndsley loves to take his canoe out onto the lake, but Bert the goose, his usual paddling partner, must visit a sick aunt. He's reluctant to invite his best friend, Catina, because the talkative cat does "not seem to understand that for Houndsley the joys of canoeing were the boat's silent glide over the water, the plink and plunk of the paddles..." Sure enough, she yaks and yaks. A few days later, Houndsley is gifted with a bicycle, which he most assuredly does not want: He can't ride. But he gamely goes out with Catina and Bert and promptly upends himself into an azalea bush. His confession that he can't ride a bike results in a swap with Bert for a tricycle and Catina's admission that she's terrified of the water-that's why she talks all the time-and a happy canoe outing with both friends, after a swimming lesson for Catina. Howe's gentle text deftly mixes in some sight words alongside easily sounded-out vocabulary, all while telling a sweetly engaging story; Gay's energetic watercolors brim with personality and humor. (Early reader. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews

A sweetly engaging story…energetic watercolors brim with personality and humor.
—Kirkus Reviews

With an engaging story, wonderful illustrations, and memorable characters, this title will be a real treat for children who are learning how to read on their own.
—Looking Glass Review

Illustrations glow with warmth and good spirits…an encouraging book on overcoming fears.
—Booklist

The message is clear. With the support of true friends a person can overcome just about any obstacle or hurdle... This might open up an interesting dialogue.
—BookLoons Reviews

An excellent book that teaches the value of friends and how they can help a person overcome a secret fear, this is always a great story for beginning readers.
—SBParent.com

From the Publisher